Police funding to help Notts community groups

Small community groups dedicated to making Nottinghamshire safer are being invited to apply for financial support in a fresh round of police funding, it can be revealed.

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping has earmarked £250,000 from his budget to be shared among local projects that aim to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour and protect victims, witnesses and vulnerable people from harm.

The Community Safety Fund is an annual grants scheme which recognises the value local community-based organisations can bring to public safety efforts. Third sector community groups can apply for individual grants of up to £25,000 to help towards the delivery of crime reduction initiatives which support the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.

The Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan has outlined seven key priorities which include protecting, supporting and responding to victims, witnesses and vulnerable people; focusing on priority crime types and those local areas most affected by crime and antisocial behaviour; reducing the impact of drugs and alcohol on crime and antisocial behaviour; reducing the threat from organised crime; prevention, early intervention and reduction in reoffending and spending taxpayers’ money wisely.

Since being elected, Mr Tipping has spoken of his determination to improve confidence among victims of crime and take positive action to increase their support needs.

The Commissioner has made it clear that local community groups have an important role to play in delivering his plan. He is particularly keen to attract applications for BME-led projects that work with the police to build trust and understanding, projects supporting vulnerable people to reduce victimisation and targeted community led initiatives to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Commenting on the launch of the small grants scheme, Commissioner Tipping said: “Thanks to this fund, more than 30 local organisations benefitted from additional financial support last year to address challenging issues which have a serious impact on criminality. Together, these projects can make a real difference to people’s lives, help vulnerable and bring about reductions in criminal behaviour.

“I’ve never underestimated the power of grassroots intervention in making our communities safer and the work that is already taking place across Nottinghamshire is proof that local people are often best placed to respond to the social problems and dysfunction that exists in their area.

“I hope that many more organisations apply for funding this year to help us secure a better future for those at risk of criminal behaviour or reoffending and those who find themselves a victim.”

Among the beneficiaries of last year’s funding was Chat’bout - a young person’s participation network dedicated to strengthening the voice of underrepresented young people in Nottingham. The organisation received £9,153.00 towards its My Rights My Voice Project to contribute towards the cost of workshops and an interactive video.

Imani Lockhart-Davis, project lead, said: “This project informs young people about their rights if they are stopped and searched. The funding has enabled us to deliver to harder to reach young people, and those affected by this issue. We are working to establish independent youth panels. The aim is to improve relations between under-represented young people and the Police.”

Also to benefit through the 2014-15 funding initiative was the Holocaust Centre in Newark which received £22,200 to deliver education to inspire adults and families to take action against hate crime.

James Griffiths, director of learning at the centre, commented: “The funding that the National Holocaust Centre and Museum received from the Community Safety Fund has enabled the Centre to work in partnership to engage individuals and groups to learn about the Holocaust and steer them towards personal action in their communities. Individuals and groups have been supported to show their communities at their very best by embracing difference and promoting positive messaging.”

Under this year’s scheme, the Commissioner will consider pilot projects if they are able to demonstrate strong evidence of need.

The deadline for completed applications is midday on Monday 26 January 2015 and applications should be submitted to: grants@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk

The OPCC is holding two briefing sessions for organisations considering applying for funding which are being held on: